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Post by domesticdiva on Jan 28, 2007 23:16:08 GMT -5
Today I got a call from a guy who wants a quote. It's a 4 bedroom / 2 bath - only wants the master bedroom, the two baths, kitchen, hall, entry and utility cleaned. Also asked if I could do the litterbox, as wife is pregnant and can't do it. They have 3 indoor cats and two indoor dogs, a baby on the way and a 13 year old girl. When I asked him what kind of service (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) he'd be intersted in, his reply was "it depends. whatever's cheaper. I'm a cheap guy." I'm supposed to go for a consultation tomorrow. Is this a disaster waiting to happen? Should I just show up, look at the place, then run for the hills? Might I add, when I asked when he'd like to arrange the consultation, he tried to say what about right now? On Sunday. Do you think he was just being funny - or just a guy.  Brandy |
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Post by FreedomClean on Jan 29, 2007 7:41:38 GMT -5
Brandy, it's just another bid. We all know that some bids are more difficult than others and that not every house is as clean as another. I have some homes that I clean that I wonder why they even hire me, because I can't find any dust! Others I will go back to after a week and you couldn't even tell I was there at all.
My guess is this guy is going to be cheap and nothing you do is going to be right. Give him your price and move on. If he likes it, fine. If he doesn't, well that's one less catbox to clean. You'll be great!
Mike
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Post by purple53 on Jan 29, 2007 15:17:04 GMT -5
I read an article about a woman who "scoops dog poop" for a living. She also does cat litter boxes. The customer leave the box on the porch. Woman exchanges it for a "fresh one". Hope all goes well with this house & your bidding! Keep us informed!  |
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Post by domesticdiva on Jan 29, 2007 19:21:11 GMT -5
Well, I went to see the home today. Newer subdivision. The first thing I noticed were two wet/dirty blankets, in the front yard, other stuff on the porch. When I got to the door there was a strong smell, cat urine.
The home is quite filthy, and the animal smell was very strong. Stuff tossed everywhere, on the floor, on the furniture, on the counters. I looked at the cat litterboxes, there were 2 - chock full. The poor kitties. I just don't see myself being able to clean it. I could work for hours in one room, and still not make a dent.
I smiled and told the owner that I had to go over my notes and check my schedule. Does anyone have any ideas on what I should say? I know it's in terrible shape, and they are not the kind of client I want, but I don't want to be rude either.
Thanks,
Brandy
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Post by Kevin on Jan 29, 2007 19:34:58 GMT -5
Your definition of clean and this customers definition of clean are two different things. If you clean this house, and your happy with the job, the customer is going to be really happy. It makes me think about one of the first residentials I had, a senior citizen who had.... thinking it must have been 6 or 7 cats, every two weeks I went there, the smell made me gag. We just did a small general cleaning surfaces and bathrooms, her son foot the bill. It was a learning experience. 
but, knowing what I know now. I would have never taken the job.
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Post by Kathleen on Jan 31, 2007 23:11:49 GMT -5
OK - Brandy, Mike gave some good advice..."My guess is this guy is going to be cheap and nothing you do is going to be right. Give him your price and move on. If he likes it, fine. If he doesn't, well that's one less catbox to clean."
I just ran into a situation where the lady admitted that it was bad ...and let me tell you ..it was down right nasty...a major health hazard. Building should have been condemned and the owner fined for health hazard and animal cruelty. She told me that she just wanted help with throwing things away...large furniture and other household things. Then later she wanted it cleaned. I was the 8th company she called ..all before her turned her down. (there is your sign)
Well, when I got there, she cracked the opened the door, and the stench of smells like rotting food, and cat/dog urine smell greeted me. I walked in and clearly the woman was a hoarder. One of the first things this lady said to me is..please don't call the health dept. Ever single room had boxes of just junk and bags of trash..yes trash rotting in the rooms. She kept blaming her son who is 35 for the problem and stated she had given up on keeping up with the mess a few years ago. To me it looked like at least 5-10 years of having given up. Nothing in the house worked except the TV and fridge..go figure. The stove and oven were covered with grease and food splatter along with fly crap and mice droppings. there was not a spot on the counter that was not filled. The kitchen cupboards even had cob weds on the them that were collecting dirt and god knows what else. She claimed that there was only 1 cat and 1 dog...I called BS on the # of cats. She had a handful of litter in the poor kitty's litter box that was filled with Pooh.
She explained the toilet had not worked in a year and half....I let it slip when I asked then where do you go the bathroom. She explained they sit over the edge of the tub and relieve themselves into a bucket. then dumped the waste down the tub drain. ( I could not believe I asked it..but I did) Unbelievably nasty!!!! The tub was overgrown with mold in every crevice possible about half inch wide ...the bottom of it was a dark brown or black. I was speechless. just speechless. ..OK I was holding my breath and working on biting my tongue.
In the basement, or dungen...the floor was literally covered in dog poop and more trash. The Rotwieler living down there with his owner ..the son. The man lived on a mattress on the concrete floor...with the poop all around him. The walls were completely stained with dog urine along with the mold from the moisture from it and leaking plumbing. Somehow, she managed to do her laundry and kept in piles above the crap and junk on a table next the washer and dryer. The dog obviously never went outside. He was very thin (could see his ribs) and the hair was in patches with white dander.
She told me she wanted to have the house ready for sale in June. Then asked me the all important questions....what would I do if I were her and would I do the job for her? 1. I told her bluntly that ..
A. She would need to get rid of the animals,
B. Tell her son to find a new place to live..throw him out.
C. I would get a dumpster and sit it out front and throw away 90% of what was there,
D. Call a plumber,
E. Rip out all the carpets and tile flooring, - Replace all of it.
F. Cut at least 4 feet of the dry wall from the floor up in the basement.
G. Paint all walls.
And the cost.. at least $15, 000 to do it all except A. and B. was up to her. And the first two things needed to happen before anything else could begin.
She was stunned ..then claimed the carpet in the hall and living room was brand new. Then she started to cry. She was clearly overwhelmed because she really did not think the things I listed were such an issue, except her son and his dog.
Was I mean and disrespectful? I don't think so not in the least..she needed to hear the truth. A good friend that I refer most of the hoarder calls to ..explained this to me a long time ago.....they need to hear the truth..no matter how you sugar coat it..you need to be honest with their situation and the status of the house. If not you are doing that person a great dis-service.
I honestly told her that I call her within 3 days to let her know if I would do the job. Also, told her that I would be consulting with my friend, who specializes in these things. So I called her back the next day and I explained a lot would need to happen before I could even start to clean and that my friend would be the first person to start with. I called my friend and discussed the house...she had an appointment with her today ..and I have not heard back yet of what is happening. I don't regret telling her my thoughts..she asked....and again..she needed to hear it.
By the way the lady works as a charge nurse at the Vets Hospital and another part-time. no wonder she begged me not to call the health dept. Makes you think ...what she is taking into the hospital with her on her clothes, shoes and body.....fricken nasty.
When I got home, I took my shoes off outside (in the snow), walked into my mudroom, disrobed, and threw my cloths ..jacket and all into the washer and ran like mad to scrub the heck out of myself. I had the creepy crawlies.
When I get the Blue tooth adapter this week I will down the photos I took to show all of you..... the before..cause frankly i don't think there will be after photos to show.
Just my 2 cents and one nasty story..about the importance of being honest and upfront.
-Kathleen
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Post by Kevin on Feb 2, 2007 7:13:03 GMT -5
Kathleen,
You should have masked up, the minute you got that first initial stench.
Its best to be completely truthful with customers in this situation, it also sounds like there are some mental problems. This woman probably does not have access to 15G, I would just call the Health Department.
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Post by domesticdiva on Feb 3, 2007 11:12:26 GMT -5
Ultimately I decided that I just didn't have the time to take on such a home. I called the owner and was able to leave a message, I apologized for not be able to take the job and that I hoped they were able to find someone who could help them.
Sorry I was unable to reply sooner. We had a rough week, as a young family member (age 2) died in a housefire and we had that to deal with. We buried her yesterday, and it was such a sad sad day.
Brandy
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Post by tmb0309 on Feb 3, 2007 20:36:37 GMT -5
I think you did the right thing there will be other jobs. I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Take Care Trina wwww.staycleancleaning.net |
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Post by Linda on Feb 4, 2007 12:05:41 GMT -5
Brandy, I am so sorry for your loss. That is very sad.
Linda
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Post by domesticdiva on Feb 5, 2007 10:51:36 GMT -5
Trina & Linda, Thanks and yes it was very sad - especially for Baylee's young mother.  And yes Trina, I am glad I passed on this job you are right there are other jobs, I think right after I passed on this one the next day I got a call for a much better home. I'm trying my best to bid what I'm worth and not too low, and trying to pick the homes I know I want to keep cleaning. It's tough, when starting out - but worth it in the end Brandy |
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Post by domesticdiva on Feb 5, 2007 10:52:33 GMT -5
Kathleen, thanks so much for your post! It was great - lots of info to read, thanks so much for sharing your experience with me.
Brandy
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Post by Kathleen on Feb 5, 2007 16:37:53 GMT -5
Brandy, No problem, if I can share something to benefit others..then great! On another note, Sorry to hear about your loss.
Kevin- Yep your right - I should have. I did however use my turtle neck sweater as a mask and did not touch a thing. I have sworn to myself to keep my masks in my coat pocket when going on new bids!
- Kat
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